Cocktail Hour in the summer

You know what I haven't published in a long time? Cocktail recipes!  And let's be honest, you're totally going to make all of these tonight, even though no one's coming over...

Each recipe serves 1

Slojito
1.5 oz.Sloe gin
Soda water to taste
Crushed ice with
4 wedges of lime, plus one to garnish
One teaspoon of brown sugar
10 basil leaves

Take a chilled rocks glass, throw in 9 basil leaves, 4 wedges of lime and a teaspoon of brown sugar. Muddle until the lime juice is soaking the other ingredients. Fill the glass with ice and pour over the Sloe gin. Top with chilled soda and stir. Garnish the cocktail with a wedge of lime and a basil leaf, for  best Instagram results.

Jan Collins
3/4 ounce vodka 

1/4 ounce triple sec 

1/2 ounce club soda 

3/4 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 

1/4 ounce simple syrup 

Orange wheel for garnish

Combine vodka, triple sec, lemon juice, and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake vigorously. Strain into a glass, top with club soda, and garnish with half an orange wheel. Then tell people it's not a girly drink.

Astoria Bianco
1 1/4 ounces gin
1/2 ounce Italian (sweet) vermouth 1 dash orange bitters
Orange twist for garnish

Combine gin, vermouth, and orange bitters in a cocktail shaker with ice.
Shake contents and strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with an orange twist.

Rusty Nail
3/4 oz Drambuie 

1 1/2 oz Scotch Whisky

Pour all ingredients directly into old-fashioned glass filled with ice. Stir. Garnish with a lemon twist.